CONQUESTS OF THE SARACENS. 319 



When the city surrendered, Jonas flew to the 

 monastery where Eudocia had taken refuge ; but 

 his name was forgotten, his passion scorned : she 

 preferred her rehgion to her lover, and took her de- 

 parture in the caravan of fugitives ; bidding adieu 

 to a country which was no longer free, and an at- 

 tachment which could only be remembered with 

 sorrow. Jonas was inconsolable ; and, in the hope 

 of rescuing his wife, urged the conqueror to pursue 

 the weary exiles who, he assured him, might yet be 

 overtaken, and offered his services as guide. Khaled 

 yielded to his importunities ; and, at the head of four 

 thousand horse in the disguise of Christians, took 

 the route of the fugitives. In a wet and dark night 

 they traversed the rocky passes of Mount Lebanon; 

 and at the dawn of day they beheld, in a pleasant 

 valley below, the tents of Damascus shining in the 

 morning sun. Of the hapless wanderers, some lay 

 overcome v/ith fatigue and sleep, others were spread- 

 ing their drenched garments to dry. Khaled divided 

 his troop into four squadrons, who rushed success- 

 ively on the unarmed and promiscuous multitude. 

 The Christians defended themselves Avith bravery ; 

 but the loss of their general, whose head was in- 

 sultingly mounted on the standard of the cross, 

 announced that victory had declared for the enemy. 

 One man only escaped the fury of the barbarians, to 

 carry to the court of Constantinople the dismal story 

 of the catastrophe. 



In the tunudt of the battle, Jonas sought and found 

 the object of his fatal pursuit. Tlie indignant lady 

 repulsed his advances sword in hand. After a hard- 

 fought combat she became his prisoner ; but, loath- 

 inghis perfidious embraces, in a fit of tranquil de- 

 spair she struck a poniard to her heart. The wid- 

 owed daughter of Heraclius, a princess of admirable 

 beauty, was taken captive, and offered to the dis- 

 consolate lover ; but he yielded to the wishes of 

 Khaled, who spared and released her without a ran- 



